PROVINCIAL ASSEMBLY OF SINDH

UNIVERSITIES AND BOARDS DEPARTMENT

LIST OF STARRED ASSEMBLY QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS FOR

TUESDAY, THE 03^RD SEPTEMBER, 2024

34        *MR. ALI KHURSHIDI:  

Will the Minister for Universities and Boardsbe pleased to State:-

Number of students graduated from three districts of present Benazirabad division one year before the establishment of Shaheed Benazir Bhutto University and after establishment of this University annually?

ANSWER

MR. MUHAMMAD ALI MALKANI, MINISTER FOR UNIVERSITIES & BOARDS:-

It is submitted that Academic Session has been started from 2012 at Shaheed Benazir Bhutto University, Shaheed Benazirabad. The details of numbers of students of Shaheed Benazirabad Division (3 Districts) graduated from Shaheed Benazir Bhutto University, Shaheed Benazirabad are as under: -

61        *MR. MAZAHIR AMIR:  

Will the Minister for Universities and Boards be pleased to State:-

(a)     Weather is it fact that there were a widespread protests by the thousands of intermediate students, against the alleged discrepancies and tampering in the first-year examination results conducted by the Board of Intermediate Education Karachi (BIEK);

(b)     If answer to (a) above be in the affirmative, action taken by the department to ensure the integrity of the examination process?

ANSWER

MR. MUHAMMAD ALI MALKANI, MINISTER FOR UNIVERSITIES & BOARDS:-

It is stated that upon staging protest by some of the students and their parents, a Fact Finding Inquiry Committee was constituted by the then Caretaker Chief Minister, Sindh for probing the alleged discrepancies in the first year examination result conducted by Board of Intermediate Education, Karachi. The said Fact Finding Inquiry Committee, headed by Dr. Sarosh Lodi, Vice Chancellor, NED University, Karachi proposed recommendations for improving overall examination process of the Board and also suggested actions against some officials of the Board.

Consequently, the recommendations of the FFIC duly approved by the then Caretaker Chief Minister, Sindh have been forwarded to the Chairman and BoG of the BIE, Karachi for implementation in the letter and spirit. The Board has taken the required action against involved officials and as a result thereof Mr. Muhammad Shaheer Waqar, IT Manager, BIE Karachi has been transferred from his post. Besides displeasures have also been conveyed to the officials as per recommendations of the FFIC to mend their ways, failing which strict disciplinary action would be taken against them.

357    *MR. MUHAMMAD DANIYAL:  

Will the Minister for Universities and Boards be pleased to State:-

(a)    Is it a fact that measures have been taken to resolve the financial crisis at Karachi University;

(b)   If answer to (a) above is in affirmative, the detail thereof?

ANSWER

MR. MUHAMMAD ALI MALKANI, MINISTER FOR UNIVERSITIES & BOARDS:-

            The University of Karachi has taken following measures to resolve the financial crisis:

Internal

·         Recovered outstanding fee from students.

·         Renegotiating with Tenants of the University for enhancing rental contracts that would increase the cash inflow.

·         Barring non-essential additional benefits to employees.

·         Efforts to install utility meters at the Universities rentals occupants.

·         Work completed on Commercial Units

·         Work on Residential units are in initial phases.

·         Efforts to create an Endowment Fund for the University for Regular Expenses and deferred benefits to employees.

External

·         Request for additional funding amounting to PKR 1.06 billion from the Federal Government.

ADP scheme amounting to Rs. 800 million for solarization of the university from the Government of Sindh. This is expected to save around PKR 150-200 million annually for the university.

358      *MR. MUHAMMAD DANIYAL:  

Will the Minister for Universities and Boards be pleased to State:-

(a)      Is it a fact that measures have been taken to resolve the financial crisis at Sindh University Jamshoro;

(b)     If answer to (a) above is in affirmative, the detail thereof?

ANSWER

MR. MUHAMMAD ALI MALKANI, MINISTER FOR UNIVERSITIES & BOARDS:-

The University of Sindh has taken following measures to resolve the financial crisis:

·           Automation: A Finance module has been developed in 2020 to bring / convert the University accounts on double-entry accrual basis of accounting system.

·           Pension reforms: After introducing Pension reforms, the University has saved Rs.40.218 M.

·           Revenue Section: Investment portfolio has been increased which has earned income.

·           Electricity: The Electricity bills of University have been reduced from Rs.358.318 to Rs.225.619 M, during the FY 2023-24.

·           Solarization: Solarization process of Main Campus, Jamshoro has been started which is funded by Government of Sindh.

·           New Academic Departments: New thirteen (13) market / job-oriented bachelor degree programs have been initiated which shall generate Rs.50.00 M.

359      *MR. MUHAMMAD DANIYAL:  

Will the Minister for Universities and Boards be pleased to State:-

(a)           Is it a fact that measures have been taken to resolve the financial crisis at Sindh Agriculture  University Tando Jam;

(b)          If answer to (a) above is in affirmative, the detail thereof?

ANSWER

MR. MUHAMMAD ALI MALKANI, MINISTER FOR UNIVERSITIES & BOARDS:-

i.      The Government of Sindh has released an amount of Rs.400 million during the financial year 2022-23 as a special grant for payment of pension liability as a result, the pension liability pending from 2018 to 2021 has been cleared.

ii.    The Government of Sindh has increased the budget allocation to the University from Rs.867 million in the year 2022-23 to Rs.1491 million in the year 2023-24. Further, the University requested the Government of Sindh to increase the allocation of the budget for the year 2024-25 as the Federal Government has frozen the allocation since the year 2018-19, which is the main cause of the crisis in the University. A substantial increase is expected.

iii.  The Summary of Rs.500 million for paying pension liability from the year 2021 & onward is in process of approval.

iv.  The request of Rs.500 million for Endowment Funds has been submitted to Government of Sindh for the next financial year 2024-25.

555      *MR. MAZAHIR AMIR:  

Will the Minister for Universities and Boards be pleased to State:-

(a)   How is the Ministry ensuring that universities are using up-to-date curriculum and teaching methodologies;

(b)   Are there any programs for faculty development to improve teaching skills and knowledge in their respective fields?

ANSWER

MR. MUHAMMAD ALI MALKANI, MINISTER FOR UNIVERSITIES & BOARDS:-

a)        It is stated that Higher Education Commission Islamabad, Pakistan is the standard setting body for the Higher Education Institutions throughout Pakistan as per HEC Act:

·         Guide Institutions in designing curricula that provides a proper content of basic sciences, social sciences, humanities, engineering and technology in the curricula of each level and guide and establish minimum standard for good governance and management of Institutions and advise the Chancellor of any institution on its statutes and regulations.

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b)   There is no Faculty Development programs by this Department.